Electricity Crisis Plunges Aden into Summer Suffering: "Barran Press" Investigates Responsibility for Citizen Woes

By Ammar Zaaboul, Special Correspondent for "Barran Press"

Aden, the interim capital of southern Yemen under the control of the Southern Transitional Council, is grappling with a severe deterioration of basic services, particularly electricity. As temperatures soar with the onset of summer, the suffering of citizens, especially vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and the sick, has intensified. Outraged and discontented, residents have taken to the streets in protests, demanding urgent action to address the dire situation. The internationally recognized Yemeni government, while promising "radical solutions," blames the Transitional Council for the city's predicament.

Amidst this scorching summer and ongoing suffering, "Barran Press" has investigated the citizens' electricity woes. Our team met with residents from the Crater and Tawahi districts who bitterly spoke about their ordeal, emphasizing that electricity remains a constant source of anguish and bitterness throughout the day and night. The economic hardships faced by these families make it impossible for them to afford solar energy systems or small generators, leaving them solely dependent on the unreliable public supply.

Systematic Punishment and Empty Promises

Shaima Aziz, in an interview with "Barran Press," expressed that her suffering pales in comparison to the daily hardships endured by her neighbors, particularly the elderly and the sick. She highlighted the distress caused by overcrowded homes and the constant sound of children's cries. Speaking in her colloquial dialect, Shaima lamented, "People are dying, and our situation is dire. Families are at a loss for what to do." She further added, "We have nowhere to turn except the streets, where people gather every night. Our lives revolve around electricity, diesel, and a government that has abandoned us to face death and disease."

Shaima emphasized the profound disappointment caused by the unfulfilled promises and endless meetings regarding Aden's electricity crisis. She remarked how similar assurances had been made in previous years, only to be disregarded and forgotten.

A Vicious Cycle of Punishment

Hanan Abdullah, employed in a travel office in Crater, hinted that the electricity situation may be a form of punishment, asserting that no other explanation seems plausible. During her interview with "Barran Press," Hanan recounted the tragic deaths of two individuals due to the suffocating summer heat and power outages. She mentioned her relative's eyewitness account of a case in the Sheikh Othman district, where a man over fifty years old succumbed to the extreme conditions. "The deaths resulting from the heat are a punishment, a method employed against the people of Aden," she stated firmly.

When questioned about the source of this systematic punishment, Hanan replied, "The people of Aden desire a functional state, institutions, and essential services. However, those responsible for providing these services, particularly electricity and water, have continued to torment Aden and its residents."

She continued, exasperated, "Where is Aden? We have the sea to breathe, but the rest of our lives have crumbled, devoid of services and public sector salaries." Hanan revealed that her father, an employee since the 1970s, now faces regular salary deprivation, with his income barely sustaining him for two days.

Daily Struggles and Desperate Measures

Moataz Abdel Fattah, an Aden citizen, describes the 12-hour power outages as unbearable. He characterizes the heat as "unrelenting" and emphasizes that electricity has become the preoccupation of every resident, regardless of age.

As the summer in Aden rages on, its citizens continue to endure the consequences of a failing electricity infrastructure. The dire conditions have left them no choice but to seek urgent solutions to mitigate their suffering. The responsibility for this ongoing tragedy remains a subject of debate, while the people of Aden yearn for a better future filled with stability, services, and the necessities of life.

In an interview with Barran Press, Moataz expressed his loss of confidence in the government and the de facto authority, the Transitional Council. He emphasized the urgent need for intervention to rescue Aden Electricity, stating that a genuine management plan is required, and intervention should come from either the coalition or even the United Nations.

He called for the salvation of Aden from the failures that have resulted in dire conditions for the civilian population. Moataz questioned who would come to the aid of the sick, young, and elderly individuals affected by the scorching heat that Aden may experience this year.

The latest update on Aden's electricity situation reveals that the scheduled hours of operation have significantly decreased, with only two hours of electricity available in various neighborhoods compared to the previous twelve hours. The General Electricity Corporation is encountering difficulties in procuring diesel to operate the generating stations.

Journalist Abdul Rahman Anis summarized the dire situation facing Aden Electricity, noting that two diesel fuel shipments were secured in advance from a merchant to prevent the shortage from exceeding twelve hours. However, the problem persists unless radical solutions are implemented.

A source within the General Electricity Corporation informed Barran Press that the company is awaiting the arrival of a fuel-loaded ship at the oil port in the Buraiqa District. This shipment is expected to contribute to reducing the deficit in electricity supply. However, the source emphasized the necessity for comprehensive and long-term solutions to address the issue effectively.

The importance of the protests

Shaima Aziz, speaking to Barran Press, expressed skepticism about the efficacy of the proposed solutions, stating that the arrival of diesel fuel alone would not resolve the electricity crisis. She emphasized the importance of alleviating the suffering of the people in Aden and stressed that the primary requirement is a stable and reliable electricity supply.

Shaima Aziz emphasized the crucial role of ongoing protests and demonstrations. She urged the public to continue taking to the streets until their demands are met, exerting pressure on decision-makers to bring an end to the prevailing hardships.

Supporting Shaima's viewpoint, Moataz Abdel Fattah stressed the significance of persistent demonstrations. He asserted that demanding electricity is indispensable as officials enjoy uninterrupted power supply in their well-lit and air-conditioned homes. Moataz emphasized the dire consequences of the heat on the physical and mental well-being of citizens, particularly the vulnerable elderly and children. He called for the continuation of activities and protests.

Hanan Abdullah condemned the ongoing injustice in Aden, stating that the current situation is intolerable. She noted that the circumstances in Aden have become so dire that even daytime demonstrations are not feasible, which has prompted young people to protest at night. She stressed the importance of these protests as they represent the collective voice of the youth, women, children, and the sick.

Hanan Abdullah lamented the tragic conditions faced by children, with unusual skin rashes being a common sight. She questioned the rationale behind remaining silent in the face of such suffering. She criticized the failure of the state's leadership, including the government and the political parties, in restoring normalcy to the city of Aden.

Hanan Abdullah further emphasized that temporary solutions are inadequate for Aden, as even citizens with sufficient financial means struggle with the issue. For instance, batteries are insufficient, and those who can afford more powerful systems must spend substantial amounts of money.

Protest activities denouncing the power outage persist in the city of Aden. Late yesterday, Sunday, June 2, witnessed angry demonstrations and riots in the Sheikh Othman District, condemning the complete breakdown of the electricity service.

Throughout May, demonstrations have persisted in the districts of Mansoura, Al-Mualla, and Sheikh Othman in Aden, Yemen. The ongoing protests have been fueled by the deteriorating electricity crisis, which has led to frequent power outages due to fuel shortages in local power stations.

These protests serve as a testament to the severe consequences of the collapse of the electricity infrastructure, exacerbating the suffering of the populace. The situation has been particularly dire, as the power outages coincided with a heatwave and high levels of humidity in the Aden Governorate, resulting in the unfortunate deaths of individuals with chronic illnesses.

Big legacy

Earlier in mid-May, the General Electricity Corporation in Aden reported a significant increase in peak loads, with electricity demand reaching 710 megawatts. This marked a notable surge compared to the previous summer, where peak demand did not exceed 690 megawatts.

The announcement from Aden Electricity coincided with statements made by Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, the head of the internationally recognized Yemeni government. Bin Mubarak shed light on the rampant corruption, manipulation, and financial mismanagement plaguing the electricity sector. He emphasized that the sector accounts for a staggering 31% of the state's revenues, with the government having expended 1 trillion and 10 billion Riyals ($4 billion) on electricity in the past year of 2023.

During an interview with the official "Yemen and Aden" channels, Bin Mubarak characterized the electricity issue as a longstanding problem, encompassing major failures resulting from mismanagement over an extended period. He criticized the absence of strategic plans and sound directions in past approaches to the electricity sector, highlighting the accumulation of substantial financial obligations as a consequence.

Bin Mubarak acknowledged that power stations in Yemen had not undergone necessary maintenance, leading to decreased productivity and exacerbating citizens' hardships. He expressed his apologies to the residents of Aden and neighboring governorates for the prolonged power outages, particularly during the summer season. He appealed for their patience, urging them not to exert additional pressure on his administration as he endeavors to implement genuine reforms within the electricity sector.

Contentious Claims Surrounding Aden's Electricity Crisis

Amidst ongoing protests, the Southern Transitional Council has asserted that the electricity crisis plaguing the city of Aden and other southern governorates is deliberately manufactured as a punitive measure against the southern population. This declaration was made during a meeting of the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Southern Transitional Council held in Aden, as reported on the council's official website.

The meeting focused on various aspects of the economic landscape, with the Economic Department of the General Secretariat presenting a report detailing significant developments in living conditions and the economy. The report highlighted the contrived nature of the electricity crisis, suggesting that it serves as a means to punish the people of the South.

The General Secretariat, which holds authority over political, security, and military affairs in Aden, emphasized its unwavering support for the people of the South, pledging to stand by them and address their legitimate demands.

On May 28, Aidaroos Al-Zubaidi, a member of the Presidential Leadership Council and President of the Southern Transitional Council, criticized the internationally recognized Yemeni government, in which his council holds several ministerial positions. Al-Zubaidi expressed dissatisfaction with the government's perceived incompetence and failure, hinting at the possibility of reconsidering his council's participation in the Presidency Council and the government.

Highlighting the untenable nature of the status quo, Al-Zubaidi stressed that the Southern Transitional Council would not indefinitely tolerate the government's shortcomings, the worsening living conditions, and the strain it placed on the patience of the southern population.

The Southern Transitional Council, a major component of the Presidential Command Council, holds several ministerial portfolios within the government and has had administrative and military control over Aden, the interim capital, since September 2019.

The duration of power outages in Aden this year has exceeded 12 hours, particularly burdensome given the high temperatures, further intensifying pressure on both the government and the Southern Transitional Council, which exercises authority over the temporary capital.